Microsoft has closed down several Bethesda studios including Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, Redfall developer Arkane Austin and more following a devastating round of job cuts. Roundhouse Games, which contributed to the development of Redfall, will be absorbed into The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios.
As reported by IGN, Microsoft has closed a handful of Bethesda studios including Tango Gameworks, which developed the award-winning game Hi-Fi Rush last year, as well as other contributions to the horror genre like Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within. Arkane Austin, the team primarily behind 2023’s Redfall, has also been closed. This was confirmed in an email sent to employees by the head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, today.
Booty said these cuts were necessary due to a “reprioritisation of titles and resources” at Bethesda and Xbox Game Studios, explaining:
“To double down on these franchises and invest to build new ones requires us to look across the business to identify the opportunities that are best positioned for success. This reprioritization of titles and resources means a few teams will be realigned to others and that some of our colleagues will be leaving us.”
As for as the impacted studios under Bethesda, Booty explained in the email where each of them stand:
“Arkane Austin – This studio will close with some members of the team joining other studios to work on projects across Bethesda. Arkane Austin has a history of making impactful and innovative games and it is a pedigree that everyone should be proud of. Redfall’s previous update will be its last as we end all development on the game. The game and its servers will remain online for players to enjoy and we will provide make-good offers to players who purchased the Hero DLC.
Alpha Dog Studios – This studio will also close. We appreciate the team’s creativity in bringing Doom to new players. Mighty Doom will be sunset on August 7 and we will be turning off the ability for players to make any purchases in the game.
Tango Gameworks – Tango Gameworks will also close. We are thankful for their contributions to Bethesda and players around the world. Hi-Fi Rush will continue to be available to players on the platforms it is today.
Roundhouse Games – The team at Roundhouse Games will be joining ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS). Roundhouse has played a key role in many of our recent game launches and bringing them into ZOS to work on The Elder Scrolls Online will mean we can do even more to grow the world that millions of players call home.”
As a result, Redfall will no longer receive any updates as Microsoft has ended development on the game, though it will remain online to play until further notice.
“As we align our plans and resources to best set ourselves up for success in this complex and changing industry, our teams across Arkane Lyon, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, MachineGames, ZeniMax Online Studios and the Bethesda publishing and corporate teams will be well-positioned to build new IP, explore new game concepts, and expand on our existing franchises,” Booty concluded.
Source: IGN
